Scotland recall Craig Gordon and Gary Caldwell
Scotland national team coach Craig Levein has recalled goalkeeper Craig Gordon and defender Gary Caldwell to his squad to face Czech Republic and Spain in UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying
matches next month.
Sunderland goalkeeper and Scotland’s regular first-choice Gordon has missed out on the last two qualifiers as he was out with a broken arm. However, he has yet to make a return to playing for his club
and the player faces a fight to reclaim his place from Rangers’ Allan McGregor — who has proven himself a more than able deputy since making his return to the international arena.
"I believe that he is some way towards full fitness and I feel it is important to get him back in the squad again. But I am really happy with Allan McGregor. I won't make any secret of it — Allan will
be the starting keeper provided everything goes well between now and the first match,” Levein told reporters.
Caldwell is in a similar situation, having undergone two hip operations during the summer break. He has yet to feature for Wigan Athletic at first-team level this season, having only played with the reserves.
However, that has not put off Levein from selecting the former Celtic man.
'Caldwell fit to play'
The ex-Dundee United boss said that: "Gary is fit to play. Whether he is fully match fit is a different question and whether he is fit to play 90 minutes is another question. Gary is a really important
player to me and the national team. Not only is he a good player, but he is a great leader and a good guy to have around the rest of the squad."
Celtic star Shaun Maloney has also returned to the set-up, while Queens Park Rangers striker Jamie Mackie has been called up for the first time. Meanwhile, Middlesborough pair Kris Boyd and Kevin Thomson
— who has made a return from a broken leg much more quickly than expected — have been left out, while Birmingham City’s James McFadden is injured.
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